How to take care of dry skin

Dry skin can be a frustrating problem. It’s not fun to constantly be worrying about flakiness and patchy areas. When you want to wear nice clothes having to think about which area of skin to cover or reveal depending on dryness that day can be a real nightmare. Well never fear, there are lots of things you can do to help prevent and treat dryness once and for all. If this has been an ongoing, intractable problem which is really causing stress then don’t hesitate to see a health professional who will be able to advise further. But for those with an everyday bit of dryness here’s our handy guide to keeping your skin in tip top condition.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

Using a bit of moisturizer – this might not seem like the most profound piece of advice, but it’s a bit more complicated than it looks. For one it’s important to check you are using the right kind of cream for your skin. Again, if you are at all unsure then speak to your local nurse, doctor or pharmacist. Try looking too at the different options available and do trials with a few different products to see which works best for you. Some people ask ‘is Vaseline bad for your skin’ but it’s definitely not as it’s triple-purified to remove impurities and it’s unlikely to cause reaction. Petroleum jelly is also an easy answer for those who need a bit of added moisture, as it’s particularly good for anyone wanting an unscented product.

Avoid too much sun

When it comes to preventing dry skin or stopping already existing patches getting worse, it’s really important to be careful in the sun. As we all know, UV rays can damage skin and for those with a tendency to dryness it really can make things worse. Make sure to get a high-factor, dermatologist certified sun cream and use it all year-long for better results. If you are wondering ‘is petroleum jelly bad for your skin if you get a minor burn, then rest assured it’s not. It is actually a good moisturizer you can use safely when your skin does go a bit red as it locks in the skin’s natural moisture in order to allow the skin to repair itself.

Winter Is coming: dry skin in the cold

While the dangers of sun exposure may not be as problematic during winter, this season comes with its own perils for those experiencing dry skin. The wind and distinct chill in the air can really start to chafe so make sure to cream up before bracing the weather. Lips are especially prone to getting dry during the colder months so use a good lip balm during this season to protect your puckers.

Use the night

Finally, if you have dry skin there is one important resource you can use to really help things improve: the night. Because you’re not moving around so much while asleep your skin has time to rest and as such it’s a great time to saturate it with moisture. Do a full body application before sleeping and in colder weather try wearing cotton gloves and clothes as this will encourage the cream to seep in.

These are our top tips for keeping your skin moist and supple. Remember, always consult a healthcare professional if you’re worried about your skin condition, but these tips can also go a long way to helping your dry skin get on the mend. Good luck

A curious journalist and passionate writer who has been producing content on beauty and lifestyle for over 5 years. Born and raised by the sea, was brought up in Portugal and is now living in London, the melting pot of Europe